The Original Ferris Wheel, Chicagoland Travel Guide

Explore the site of the original Ferris Wheel, a landmark of innovation from Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

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The Original Ferris Wheel

Visit the historic location of the world's first Ferris wheel, built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago's Midway Plaisance. Though the original is gone, the site remains a landmark and a testament to innovation.

A brief summary to The Original Ferris Wheel

1130 Midway Plaisance, Chicago, Hyde Park, Illinois, 60637, US

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring The Original Ferris Wheel.

Explore the Midway Plaisance park, a historic Olmsted-designed green space.
Visit the nearby University of Chicago campus and its architectural landmarks.
Check out the Lorado Taft's Fountain of Time sculpture on the Midway Plaisance.

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Explore The Original Ferris Wheel on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near The Original Ferris Wheel, mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

From downtown Chicago, take the CTA Green Line to the Garfield station. From there, walk east along 55th Street to Midway Plaisance. Alternatively, take the CTA Red Line to the 63rd Street station and transfer to the #63 bus, which will drop you off near the Midway Plaisance. A single ride on CTA costs $2.50.
Walking

If you are near the University of Chicago campus, simply walk east or west to reach Midway Plaisance, which runs between 59th and 60th streets. The location of the original Ferris Wheel is in the center of the Midway, west of S. Woodlawn Ave.
Driving

From Lake Shore Drive, exit at 57th Street and head west. Continue onto Midway Plaisance. Limited free street parking is available along Midway Plaisance between 59th and 60th Streets on a first-come, first-served basis. University-operated parking lots are also available for around $4 per hour.

Discover more about The Original Ferris Wheel

The Original Ferris Wheel, a marvel of engineering, was the centerpiece of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Designed by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., it was created to rival the Eiffel Tower of the 1889 Paris Exposition. Standing at 264 feet tall, the wheel offered breathtaking views of the fairgrounds, Lake Michigan, and the city.The Ferris wheel had 36 wooden cars, each capable of holding 60 people, accommodating a total of 2,160 passengers. A ride consisted of two revolutions, the first with stops to load and unload, and the second a non-stop rotation. The ride cost 50 cents. Nearly 1.5 million people rode the wheel during the exposition.After the fair, the wheel was dismantled and moved twice, once to Lincoln Park in Chicago and later to the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. It was eventually demolished in 1906. Today, the site of the original Ferris wheel is located in Midway Plaisance, near the University of Chicago. While the original is no longer there, the location serves as a reminder of Chicago's contribution to innovation and amusement park history.